Revs launch Pepsi Refresh Project campaign

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Revolution has been competing against the other Major League Soccer teams on the field for the last 15 seasons. Now, the Revs will compete off the field as the team is part of a league-wide competition for a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh Project grant to better the teams’ greater communities.

The Pepsi Refresh Project contest starts today and will run through Monday, Sept. 20, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Fans can cast up to 25 votes per day at MLSsoccer.com/PepsiRefresh.

Should the Revs win the Pepsi Refresh grant, the team will provide free CPR and AED training to approximately 500 youth soccer coaches throughout New England through the American Heart Association. Additionally, the coaches will receive at-home training and practice units for their teams and leagues.

“Having coaches prepared in the event a child suffers a cardiac-related incident on the field – no matter how unlikely the possibility – is very important. We’re hoping our fans join us and help make this project a reality for coaches and families throughout New England,” said Revolution midfielder Chris Tierney, the team’s player spokesperson for the project who has also coached soccer at the youth levels.

The Pepsi Refresh Project is a groundbreaking effort to foster innovation in social good that will award more than $20 million this year to fund great ideas that help impact the world. Throughout 2010, Pepsi will fund ideas that will move the world forward in six categories: Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighborhoods and Education. The Pepsi Refresh Project, which launched Jan. 13, features significant social engagement around people and the power of ideas. People are encouraged to submit their ideas and to cast a vote for their favorite ideas at www.refresheverything.com.